Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-11-26
JIM POULDER'S MISTAKE.

A pleasant, balmy day in May. The
windows of the railway car were open
There was breeze stirring, and though {
cloud Of dust was blown in, it was also
blown out, with the exception of tired
portion which stopped to rest on the
clothes of the passengers or burrowed fol
its own safety in their ears and nostrils
There were only two vacant seats in the car
and at the Pankehap station two person.
came in to ell them. One of them was an
old man-on a second look, he was prob
ably not over 50-with iron-gray hair
partly covered by slouched hat, and clad
in a new suit of gray stuff that seemed tc
have been made for someone else. With
him was young and pretty girl, whose
dress was of ordin airy stuff, but well-ftting
and who was glove and well shod.
The observer would set down the two
for well-to-do farmer and his daughter
who were travelling for business or pleas
ure. The man looked around Two
vacant seats were on opposite sides of the
car. In one of them sat young, we'll
dressed and apparently self-satisfed gen.
tleman, and the space by his side was oc-
cupied by a handbag Of crocodile leather
and a spring overcoat. In the other was
another young man, not quite so extrava-
gantly dressed, though neatly clad, and
not as handsome as the first, though he
had an open and intelligent countenance
The farmer looked around, and motioning
his daughter to the vacant seat, said
There's place for you, Lucy" Then,
turning TO the young man with the
satchel, he asked: &" Seat engaged ?"
The young pan looked up, curled his
lip superciliously, and said; "The man
to fill it'll be here presently, dare say"
"Ahw said the farmer, coolly removing
the cripsack and overcoat, and placing
them on the young mans lap; ''then I'll
occupyit until he comes" And he seated
himself accordingly, while the young man
glared at him.
The one on the other side looked
amused; and then, rising, said: "You had
better exchange seats with me, sir, and
then the young lady and yourself will be
together"
THANK you," was the farmers reply;
and the exchange was quietly effected.
The two young men were evidently ac-
quainted; and the courteous one said to the
other, in a low voice: Jim Poulder YOU
made mistake there"
81 never make mistakes, Frank Boiling"
replied the other 81 dare say you'll make
your fortune some of these days by being
polite to the granger population; but my
fortune is already made"
The first speaker said nothing more;
btrt Il frnp, H. ni-o,
opened it and run his eye over its columns.
said: "This is too dull for yours faith
fully, James Poulder. I'll 20 into the
smoking-car and take 4 Whit. Have q
snifter ?" he inquired producing pocket
flask.
That stuff is rather too fiery for me-"
Here goes alone, then. That's as fine
brandy as ever crossed the ocean. Day.
day! Keep an eye on my trans, will You
and don't give up my seat to every country
yollel who asks it."
The elegant young gentleman shook
himself, and made his way forward to the
car especially provided for fumigation.
When he had gone, the old man leaned
over the arm of his seat, and addressed
Boiling.
Excuse me, sir, but didn't your frienc
who has just left say that his name wa.
James Peulder%
That's his name, sir" replied the young
man, but he is not exactly friend o
mine, though we live in the same place
and know him very WELL"
May inquire where he is FROM?
YES, sir, Careysburg."
Son of Peter 3. Poulder, the grea
pork-packer there, isn't he?"
Eyes, sir"
His father should deal with him. 1
would be quite in his line"
"Oh, papa!" said sweet, reproachfu
voice, as those near who heard the colo
guy Uttered.
at is fact, Lucy" rejoined the farmer
The old man, who was evidently intelli
gent, entered into a general conversation
with the younger, and soon showed tina
he was quite well informed Boiling wa!
glad of a conference so entertaining, es
pecially as, when his eyes were bent il
that direction, he saw that the young lady
was an interested, and he hoped, pleased
listener. There was something very swee
in the expression of her countenance-ar
unmistakable impress of modesty and In
nocence on her features. They chatteC
away, and the elder, so dexterously tina
the younger never perceived it, drew on
of the other his position, prospects and in
tentions
Boiling was frank by nature and the
questions of his interlocutor, who was a
ingenious as the other was ingenious, wer,
craftily put. The sharp granger soor
learned that Frank Boiling had been en-
gagged for some time in the study of the
law, but that his father, having met with
reverses, and having two young daughter
TO educate, the young man determined t
make his burden less and had set out t.
support himself, abandoning his Law
studies and taking situation as sales
man at a country store at Griflton, thirty
ing town about five miles from the mair
line.
al get but beggarly pay, of course
said Frank, gayly. II am only a ras
hand but have the promise that whe,
l am better qualified, my wages will be in
creased.
g You are rather singular person. sait
the farmer, blufily. Most young me,
would have talked of their salary"
g / rather prefer the old style of Eng
fish, said Boiling. Il am to be hire
ling; and the compensation of hirelin,
is called wages. But wages or salary-th,
terms are Indifferent TO me-"
Ny place is within mile of Grifton,
said the old man. a have notion tina
| knew your father once Wasn't he a
Harvard, in his time?"
:, Yes, sir, and so was l. We are alum
nj of the same school,"
Il wonder if he remembers his ole
chum there-one George Carter-Georg
St. Leger Carter, as they have it on thei
rolls"
Yes, sir, Eve heard him speak of hin
often, though the two have drifted apar
since then. Judge Carter, you mean. III,
lives at Grifton. Do you know him ?"
"Um! ye-esl After a fashion"
Papa whispered the young girl; bu